Sur·prise n.
 1. The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.
 2. The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment.
 Pure surprise and fear
 Made me to quit the house.   --Shak.
 3. Anything that causes such a state or emotion.
 4. A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents. [Obs.]
 Surprise party, a party of persons who assemble by mutual agreement, and without invitation, at the house of a common friend. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
 Syn: -- Wonder; astonishment; amazement.